Messaging platform implementation

[fluix-dev]

We want people to be able to discuss their ideas for projects, challenges, and with users directly. Because of this, we should implement some form messaging platform on site. Below are the various implementation I've considered.

Overall, such a platform may not even be necessary because users can link alternative communication channels for projects and challenges, as well as themselves -- not sure if we should even implement this then.

Comments

Users can write public comments on projects and challenges, with others being able to upvote and downvote them -- similar to reddit. This will also require a standalone direct message system for communicating between users.

This is better for more drawn out discussion and better history management.

Channels

This implementation would be similar to IRC with various channels that users can talk in. Channels would be created by project or challenge creators. Direct messaging could either be creating using a separate system or with a public (private?) channel.

This is better for short term discussion with quick responses with worse history preservation.

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Let's have a discussion on the 👍 and 👎 of each option, and about how discussion will work within this platform. Feel free to suggest other options that you think might be unique (external bots ❓), interesting, or just good implementations overall.

[fluix-dev]

As discussed in the meeting, the step froward is comment threads on challenge / projects and direct messages between users.